Mouth artist’s portrait painted by fellow artist

A disabled artist who paints by holding a paintbrush in his mouth has had his portrait painted by a well-known fellow artist and friend.

Finmere man Keith Jansz was left paralysed in all four limbs after breaking his neck in a car accident.

Formerly a very keen sportsman, following his accident Keith found a new outlet for his enthusiasm by learning to paint.

He was advised and encouraged in his early efforts by Dadford artist Guy Scott, who was head of art at Stowe School at the time.

Keith progressed to become one of the leading artists within the association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists, with his work being reproduced around the world.

Guy first began teaching spinal patients at Stoke Mandeville Hospital to express themselves through drawing, painting and sculpture back in 1966, with the support of the famous neurologist and Paralympic Games founder Prof Ludwig Guttmann.

As a longstanding friend of Keith’s, Guy recently set himself the challenge of painting hi s fellow artist at work, showing the equipment he uses to paint, including the brush stand, mouth stick and adapted easel.

Guy will be exhibiting the portrait in the autumn exhibition of Buckingham Art For All (BAFA) and at Keith Jansz’s exhibition at Stowe School later this year.